TONY Mowbray says he will do what is best for ‘model professional’ Paul Downing as the Rovers defender contemplates a January exit.

The 27-year-old, out of contract in the summer, has played just four times this season and has interest from at least one League One club. Downing played a key role for Rovers last season, playing 30 times in the promotion-winning campaign.

The defender made his initial move from MK Dons permanent last January but could move on before the end of the month having fallen behind Jack Rodwell in the Ewood pecking order.

And Mowbray admits a level of faith in the young defenders in his ranks, as well as wanting to do the right thing by Downing, could see him exit.

The boss said: “I have had lots of conversations with Paul Downing who I would have to say is a model professional.

“I’m not going to be the guy standing in the way of his career. He did amazingly well for us last season, played a lot of football and helped us get over the line.

“If there is an opportunity for him to go and join a really progressive club, and it’s right for Paul, I won’t stand in his way.

“I’m quite excited by some of the young centre halves coming through at this club. Nevermind Scott Wharton who is out on loan, we have (Joe) Grayson, (Tyler) Magloire, who are really talented young boys.

“Somewhere down the line if we needed to, they could step in and get blooded.”

Wharton is at League Two side Lincoln City and could see out the remainder of the season at Sincil Bank following the red card for Imps defender Jason Shackell at the weekend.

On whether Downing had asked to leave, Mowbray added: “I think Paul wants to do what’s best for his career. If we were offering him a three year deal then he would probably want to stay. But that’s not happening.

“Sometimes I feel as though you have to do the right thing for footballers, especially ones who have been model professionals and given you everything they have got, and when they don’t play they don’t moan, kick balls away and play like a frustrated footballer.

“He’s a lad who comes in every day, works hard, plays when he has to, and if he’s out of the 18 then he gets on with it. So I feel as though we want to do the right thing by Paul.”